Indonesia eyes 8.6 million tourists in 2013

With a growth of 8.36 per cent in international tourist arrivals to Indonesia in the first 10 months of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, the government in Jakarta is confident that the 2013 target of 8.6 million international tourist arrivals will be achieved, said Mari Pangestu, Minister for Tourism and Creative Economy.

The tourism sector is also estimated to have generated $ 6.7 billion in receipts, indicating the sector’s resilience in the face of global economic upheavals.

“With positive tourism growth, we are confident to reach the target of 9.1 million international tourists in 2014,” Mari said.

In order to reach this target, Indonesia will continue to reach out to growth source markets such as China by increasing connectivity, creating a dedicated Mandarin website and working in cooperation with the Chinese government. Immigration and customs procedures, airports and air links both internationally and within the country are constantly being improved, while regional events and special interest activities like cruising, yachting, sports, and many others will continue to be supported, the minister said.

Statistics showed that during January through October 2013, Indonesia received a total of 7,134,052 foreign visitors, up 8.36 per cent from the 6,583,629 in the previous year. Top source markets are Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, China and Japan.

Chinese visitors grew by 21.43 per cent to 633,921 arrivals, one of the highest and fastest increases. Indonesia hopes to receive 1 million tourists from China before 2015.

Top entry points to Indonesia are Bali, increasing 10.5 per cent to 2.65 million visitors during the 10 months of 2013, followed by Jakarta, which also improved by 9.49 per cent to 1.82 million visitors, and Batam, up 8 per cent to 1.05 million. The city of Bandung as entry point experienced the highest rise in arrivals by 17.8 per cent although from a much smaller base. Surabaya also saw a significant rise of 12.5 per cent in tourist arrivals.

With a growth of 8.36 per cent in international tourist arrivals to Indonesia in the first 10 months of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, the government in Jakarta is confident that the 2013 target of 8.6 million international tourist arrivals will be achieved, said Mari Pangestu, Minister for Tourism and Creative Economy.

The tourism sector is also estimated to have generated $ 6.7 billion in receipts, indicating the sector’s resilience in the face of global economic upheavals.

“With positive tourism growth, we are confident to reach the target of 9.1 million international tourists in 2014,” Mari said.

In order to reach this target, Indonesia will continue to reach out to growth source markets such as China by increasing connectivity, creating a dedicated Mandarin website and working in cooperation with the Chinese government. Immigration and customs procedures, airports and air links both internationally and within the country are constantly being improved, while regional events and special interest activities like cruising, yachting, sports, and many others will continue to be supported, the minister said.

Statistics showed that during January through October 2013, Indonesia received a total of 7,134,052 foreign visitors, up 8.36 per cent from the 6,583,629 in the previous year. Top source markets are Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, China and Japan.

Chinese visitors grew by 21.43 per cent to 633,921 arrivals, one of the highest and fastest increases. Indonesia hopes to receive 1 million tourists from China before 2015.

Top entry points to Indonesia are Bali, increasing 10.5 per cent to 2.65 million visitors during the 10 months of 2013, followed by Jakarta, which also improved by 9.49 per cent to 1.82 million visitors, and Batam, up 8 per cent to 1.05 million. The city of Bandung as entry point experienced the highest rise in arrivals by 17.8 per cent although from a much smaller base. Surabaya also saw a significant rise of 12.5 per cent in tourist arrivals.